Burrell, Charles set for ‘Peabody’ toon

DreamWorks Animation casts lead roles for feature

“Modern Family” star Ty Burrell and Max Charles, who plays a young Peter Parker in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” are set to voice the lead roles in DreamWorks Animation’s 3D feature “Mr. Peabody and Sherman,” based on Jay Ward’s classic cartoon.

Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King”) will direct from a script by Craig Wright (“Six Feet Under”). Alex Schwartz, who previously served as the head of development at DWA, will produce with Denise Cascino (“Shrek the Third”). Bullwinkle Studios’ Tiffany Ward and Classic Media’s Eric Ellenbogen will exec produce with Jason Clark (“Stuart Little”).

Burrell will voice Mr. Peabody, the world’s smartest person, who happens to be a dog. When his “pet” boy Sherman (Charles) uses their time-traveling machine without permission, historical events spiral out of control to disastrous and comical results. It’s up to this unexpected team to put things back on track before the space-time continuum is destroyed.

All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. Pic is skedded for release on March 14, 2014.

“The brilliantly comedic and paternal sensibilities of Ty Burrell make him ideal for the role of the beloved Mr. Peabody, and we are thrilled that he will join Max Charles as the leads of ‘Mr. Peabody and Sherman,'” said Bill Damaschke, chief creative officer at DreamWorks Animation.

Burrell, who’s coming off an Emmy win for “Modern Family,” recently signed on to co-star in Dan Schechter’s Elmore Leonard adaptation “Switch.” He recently appeared in the Sundance comedy “Goats” and will soon be seen in Jim Field Smith’s “Butter,” which the Weinstein Co. will release this fall.

Charles, who has several TV movies under his belt, will soon be seen in the Farrelly brothers’ comedy “The Three Stooges,” which 20th Century Fox opens April 13.

Burrell is repped by ICM and attorney Frank Stewart, while CESD and Evolution Entertainment rep Charles.